Extendible User Input Device

ABSTRACT

A portable electronic gaming device including a user input device including an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which the extendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration the user input device is operable as a joystick game controller or wherein the user input device functions as an input device in both first and second operational configurations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an extendible user inputdevice. In particular, they relate to an extendible user input devicefor a portable gaming device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common practice for a joystick to be used as a user input devicefor arcade games, home gaming systems and personal computers. Suchjoysticks provide good user input control and sensitivity however theyare large in comparison to portable electronic devices such as, forexample, mobile cellular telephones or personal digital assistants.

At present in a portable electronic device, such as a cellular mobiletelephone, the mobile telephone keypad is used as the user input devicewhen playing a game. This provides less control and sensitivity than ajoystick. It would therefore be desirable to integrate a joystick into aportable electronic device to obtain greater control and sensitivityduring game play.

However, the presence of an additional input device would increase thesize and complexity of the device and the shape of an integratedjoystick would make the shape of the electronic device irregular andawkward. It may, for example, no longer easily fit in a pocket.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provideda portable electronic gaming device comprising: a user input devicecomprising an extendible support having at a first end a tactile memberfor user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement,wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which theextendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which theextendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration theuser input device is operable as a joystick game controller.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a user input device, for a portable electronic gaming device,comprising:

an extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for useractuation and mounted for pivotal movement about a second end, whereinthe user input device has a first configuration in which the extendiblesupport is retracted and a second configuration in which the extendiblesupport is extended, wherein in the second configuration the user inputdevice is operable as a joystick.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic device comprising: a user input device comprisingan extendible support having at a first end a tactile member for useractuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein theuser input device has a first operational configuration in which theextendible support is retracted and a second operational configurationin which the extendible support is extended, wherein the user inputdevice functions as an input device in both first and second operationalconfigurations.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there isprovided a user input device, for an electronic device, comprising: anextendible support having at a first end a tactile member for useractuation and mounted for pivotal movement about a second end, whereinthe user input device has a first operational configuration in which theextendible support is retracted and a second operational configurationin which the extendible support is extended, wherein the user inputdevice functions as an input device in both first and second operationalconfigurations.

Embodiments of the invention may consequently provide a user inputdevice with good sensitivity when it is in the second extendedconfiguration but with a small size and low profile when in the firstretracted configuration.

Further embodiments of the invention may provide a user input devicethat can be moved between the first retraced configuration and thesecond extended configuration by a simple, single user action.

The term ‘gaming device’ includes an electronic device that may be usedto play games, a multi-functional electronic device that may be used toplay games as one of its functions and also an electronic device that isdedicated to playing games. Although the inventive user input device isparticularly applicable to gaming devices, its potential application isbroader and may be used with any electronic device that requires a userinput device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will nowbe made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held electronic gaming device 2;

FIG. 2 illustrates the exterior of the hand-held electronic gamingdevice 2;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a user input device in a first retractedconfiguration and in a second extended configuration; and

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate one type of mechanism that allows a userto extend the user input device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

The Figures illustrate a user input device 10, for a portable electronicgaming device 2, comprising: an extendible support 12 attached at afirst end 13 to a tactile member 20 for user actuation and mounted forpivotal movement about a second end 14, wherein the user input device 10has a first configuration (FIG. 3A, FIG. 4A) in which the extendiblesupport 12 is retracted and a second configuration (FIG. 3B, FIG. 4C) inwhich the extendible support 12 is extended, wherein in the secondconfiguration the user input device 10 is operable as a joystick.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hand-held, pocket-sized, electronicgaming device 2. In this example, the electronic gaming device 2 is alsoa mobile cellular telephone. However, in other implementations thedevice 2 may be a dedicated gaming device.

The electronic gaming device 2 comprises; a processor 4 connected to adisplay 3, a memory 5, a cellular radio transceiver 6 and a user inputdevice 10. The processor 4 controls the operation of the device 2. Itreceives input command signals from the user input device 10. Although,a particular arrangement of functional components is illustrated anysuitable arrangement may be used. For example, in some implementationsthe device 2 may have multiple processors and/or memories, additionalcomponents for audio input and output and an additional user inputdevice such as a keypad.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exterior of the hand-held, pocket-sized,electronic gaming device 2. The device 2 has a body shell 7 with anexterior upper surface 8. The user input device 10 extends through anaperture 9 in the exterior upper surface B. The aperture 9 is a holethrough the body shell 7.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate one example of a user input device 10. Theuser input device 10 comprises: a tactile member 20 which a user touchesto move and thus actuate the user input device 10; an extendible support12 connected at a first end 13 to the tactile member 20 and pivotallyconnected at a second end 14 via an interface 40 to transducer circuitry42.

The tactile member 20 comprises an upper portion 21 that is adapted toprovide grip for a user's thumb or finger and a downwardly extendingskirt 22 that extends about the upper portion 21. In this example, theupper portion is shaped as a circle and the skirt 22 extends around theupper portion in the shape of a circle. The skirt 22 therefore forms adownwardly extending tube-like portion. The lowermost face 23 of theskirt 23 may abut the exterior upper surface 8 of the body shell 7, whenthe user input device is used in a first retracted configuration (shownin FIG. 3A), limiting the extend of pivotal movement in the firstconfiguration.

The extendible support 12 is user extendible from a first lengthillustrated in FIG. 3A to a second length illustrated in FIG. 3B. Thesecond length is typically 4 to 8 mm longer than the first length. Inthis example, the extendible support comprises a first upper portion 30that moves within a second lower portion 32. The upper portion 30 movesat least rectilinearly upwards and downwards along an axis within thesecond lower portion 32 and may additionally rotate about that axis.

A lower end of the upper portion 30 moves within the lower portion 32and an upper end of the upper portion 30 provides the first end 13 ofthe extendible support 13.

An upper end of the lower portion 32 receives the upper portion 30 and alower end of the lower portion 32 is connected to an interface 40. Thelower end of the lower portion 32 has a chamfered portion 34 thatextends around the extendible support 12. The chamfered portion 34allows large scale pivotal movement of the extendible support 12 withoutabutment between the extendible support 12 and the transducer circuitry42.

The extendible support 12 is connected from the lower portion of thesecond portion 30 to transducer circuitry 42 via the interface 40. Theinterface 40 communicates movement of the extendible support 12 to thetransducer circuitry 42, which in turn converts this movement intoelectrical signals that are provided to processor 4 as input commands.Typically the transducer circuitry will be mounted on the printed wiringboard (PWB) of the device 2. The input device 2, in this example, is ofa modular design and can be releasably connected to a PWB.

The user input device 10 has a first retracted configuration,illustrated in FIG. 3A, in which the extendible support is retracted andpivotal movement of the user input device is restricted compared to asecond configuration, illustrated in FIG. 3B. In this example, thepivotal movement of the input device 10 is physically restricted by theabutment of skirt 22 with the exterior upper surface 8.

In the first restricted configuration, the user input device 10 may beused, for example as a 2-way, 4-way, 5-way, 8-way or 9-way user inputdevice. That is, although pivotal movement is restricted, it issufficient to allow a single input at each ‘point of a compass’. For afour point compass this would give up to four separate inputs by pushingseparately in the directions North, South, East, West. For an eightpoint compass this would give eight separate inputs by pushingseparately North, South, East, West. North-East, North-West, South-East,South-West. The transducer circuitry 42 may additionally be able todiscriminate when the user input device 10 is pushed directly downwardstowards the transducer circuitry 42 along its axis of extension. Thisgives a respective fifth or ninth input. In the first retractedconfiguration the user input device may be used a navigation device,like a Navikey™ used in Nokia products or as function keys. It may beused to navigate, for example, through menus. It may even be used ingame play but does not give the degree of control and sensitivityprovided by the second extended configuration.

The user input device 10 has a second extended configuration,illustrated in FIG. 3B, in which the extendible support 12 is extendedand the user input device is operable as a joystick game controller. Theuser input device 10 pivots freely in the second configuration and thetactile member 10 is raised approximately 3-8 mm in the secondconfiguration compared to the first configuration.

Typically, the user input device 10 provides some sort of mechanism thatallows a user to easily extend the extendible support 12. One example ofsuch a mechanism is shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C.

The mechanism illustrated automatically extends the user input device 10in response to a user performing a twisting action about an axis ofextension of the extendible support 12.

The first portion 30 of the extendible support 12 is shaped like aninverted T bar. The lower portion of the upper portion 30 has alaterally extending bar 31 attached to an upwardly extending shaft.

The second portion 32 of the extendible support 12 comprises a channel34 in which the bar 31 is permanently located. The channel comprises twoparallel circular disc-like cavities 35, 36 joined by an interconnectingcubical channel 37. Each of the circular disc-like cavities 35, 36 issized to allow the laterally extending bar 31 to freely move when theextendible support 12 is rotated about its axis of extension. Theinterconnecting channel 37 is sized to allow the shaft of the upperportion 30 to move freely when the extendible support 12 is rotatedabout its axis of extension and when the extendible support 12 isextended. The interconnecting channel is sized to allow the bar 31 ofthe upper portion 30 to move freely within it while the extendiblesupport 12 is being extended.

A spring 38 is placed between the bar 31 of the upper portion 30 and thebase of the channel 34 in the second lower portion 32. The spring 38biases the extendible support 12 towards its extended position.

In FIG. 4A, the user input device is ‘locked’ in the firstconfiguration. The bar 31 is located within the cavity 36 and abuts anupper surface 39 of the cavity 36.

The user places a thumb or finger on the upper portion 21 of the tactilemember 20 and twists 90 degrees. This twisting movement aligns the bar31 with the interconnecting channel portion 37. The bar is no longerheld in place by the surface 39 and it moves under the bias of thespring 38 upwards along the interconnecting channel portion 37 as shownin FIG. 4B.

When the bar 31 reaches the end of the interconnecting channel portion37, the user places a thumb or finger on the upper portion 21 of thetactile member 20 and twists 90 degrees. This twisting movement movesthe bar 31 out of alignment with the interconnecting channel portion 37and ‘locks’ the user input device in the second configuration.

The process can be reversed to change the user input device from thesecond extended configuration to the first retracted configuration.

The term ‘lock’ used in the preceding paragraphs is intended to meanthat the user input device remains in a user selected configurationuntil the user performs a specific act to change configurations. Thisspecific act will generally not occur during the normal use of the userinput device 10 for user input.

Another mechanism that allows a user to easily extend the extendiblesupport 12 provides a guiding cavity in the interior of the lowerportion 32. The guiding cavity forms an upwardly extending spiralcentred on the axis of extension of the extendible member 12. Theguiding cavity provides an interior camming surface along which theupper portion 30 of the extendible member 12 is moved upwardly as it istwisted by a user. The cavity provides a guide mechanism for guiding theextendible member between its retracted configuration and its extendedconfiguration.

The user input device 10 may additionally have discriminating means fordiscriminating whether the user input device 10 is in a first retractedconfiguration or a second extended configuration and for informing theprocessor 4 of the current configuration. The operation of theelectronic gaming device 2 may be dependent upon the configuration ofthe user input device. For example, extending the extendible support mayautomatically initiate a gaming application in the device 2. A suitablediscriminating means would be a switch that is thrown as the extendiblesupport 12 moves from the first configuration to the secondconfiguration and thrown when the extendible support moves from thesecond configuration to the first configuration.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in thepreceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should beappreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importanceit should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1. A portable electronic gaming device comprising: a user input devicecomprising an extendible support having at a first end a tactile memberfor user actuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement,wherein the user input device has a first configuration in which theextendible support is retracted and a second configuration in which theextendible support is extended, wherein in the second configuration theuser input device is operable as a joystick game controller.
 2. Anelectronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein pivotal movementof the user input device is restricted in the first configuration andthe user input device pivots freely in the second configuration.
 3. Anelectronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the input devicefunctions as an input device in both first and second configurations. 4.An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inputdevice is operable as a navigation device in the first configuration. 5.An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means forextending the extendible support in response to a first user action andfor retracting the extendible support in response to a reversal of thefirst user action.
 6. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1,comprising means for extending the extendible support in response to atwisting motion applied to the tactile member about an axis of extensionof the extendible support.
 7. An electronic gaming device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the means for extending comprise a bias mechanism forbiasing the support towards its extended configuration and a userreleasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in itsretracted configuration.
 8. An electronic gaming device as claimed inclaim 7, wherein the means for extending further comprises a userreleasable locking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in itsextended configuration.
 9. An electronic gaming device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the means for extending further comprises a guidemechanism for guiding the extendible member between its retractedconfiguration and its extended configuration.
 10. An electronic gamingdevice as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tactile member is raisedapproximately 3-8 mm in the second configuration compared to the firstconfiguration.
 11. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1,further comprising discrimination means for discriminating the currentconfiguration of the user input device and control means for controllingthe operation of the gaming device in dependence upon saiddiscrimination.
 12. An electronic gaming device as claimed in claim 1that is pocket sized and for handheld use.
 13. An electronic device asclaimed in claim 12, further operable as a mobile cellular telephone.14. A user input device for an electronic gaming device as claimed inclaim
 1. 15. A user input device, for a portable electronic gamingdevice, comprising: an extendible support having at a first end atactile member for user actuation and mounted for pivotal movement abouta second end, wherein the user input device has a first configuration inwhich the extendible support is retracted and a second configuration inwhich the extendible support is extended, wherein in the secondconfiguration the user input device is operable as a joystick.
 16. Anelectronic device comprising: a user input device comprising anextendible support having at a first end a tactile member for useractuation and mounted at a second end for pivotal movement, wherein theuser input device has a first operational configuration in which theextendible support is retracted and a second operational configurationin which the extendible support is extended, wherein the user inputdevice functions as an input device in both first and second operationalconfigurations.
 17. An electronic device as claimed in claim 16, whereinpivotal movement of the user input device is restricted in the firstoperational configuration and the user input device pivots freely in thesecond operational configuration.
 18. An electronic device as claimed inclaim 16, wherein the input device is operable as a navigation device inthe first operational configuration.
 19. An electronic device as claimedin claim 16, wherein the input device is operable as a joystick devicein the second operational configuration.
 20. An electronic device asclaimed in claim 16, comprising means for extending the extendiblesupport in response to a first user action and for retracting theextendible support in response to a reversal of the first user action.21. An electronic device as claimed in claim 16, comprising means forextending the extendible support in response to a twisting motionapplied to the tactile member about an axis of extension of theextendible support.
 22. An electronic device as claimed in claim 20,wherein the means for extending comprise a bias mechanism for biasingthe support towards its extended configuration and a user releasablelocking mechanism for retaining the extendible support in its retractedconfiguration.
 23. An electronic device as claimed in claim 22, whereinthe means for extending further comprises a user releasable lockingmechanism for retaining the extendible support in its extendedconfiguration.
 24. An electronic device as claimed in claim 20, whereinthe means for extending further comprises a guide mechanism for guidingthe extendible member between its retracted configuration and itsextended configuration.
 25. An electronic device as claimed in claim 16,wherein the tactile member is raised approximately 3-8 mm in the secondconfiguration compared to the first configuration.
 26. An electronicdevice as claimed in claim 16, further comprising discrimination meansfor discriminating the current configuration of the user input deviceand control means for controlling the operation of the electronic devicein dependence upon said discrimination.
 27. An electronic device asclaimed in claim 16 that is pocket sized and for handheld use.
 28. Anelectronic device as claimed in claim 27, further operable as a mobilecellular telephone.
 29. A user input device for an electronic device asclaimed in claim
 16. 30. A user input device, for an electronic device,comprising: an extendible support having at a first end a tactile memberfor user actuation and mounted for pivotal movement about a second end,wherein the user input device has a first operational configuration inwhich the extendible support is retracted and a second operationalconfiguration in which the extendible support is extended, wherein theuser input device functions as an input device in both first and secondoperational configurations.